Western cyclone., 1887-06-17
A HAPPY EXCHANGE.


you Gomez"
Haven't sufficient audacity," drawl-
ed Jack Hammond lazily. Don't
know who they are, and never could
endure to intrude on strangers. I
don't think they want us, do yOu?"
"You think them lovers" said Miss
May Carol, with a curl of her pretty
lip; "well. if they are, no doubt they
see enough Of each other to be bored
half to death. You may go back if
you like, but I'm going to scrape &C
quaintance with that pretty girl"
lawfully bad form" Jack answer
ed, III his indolent but musical voice,
as he lounged to the stile to help May
over. "But il you'll present me, I'll
follow as rapidly as the law of my be-
ing will allow"
And he did follow; for Nays light
foot scarcely seemed to touch the grass
over which it sped, as she went
through the glad golden sunlight of
an October day, toward the fate which
had been sent to meet her in the Sc
rene dullness Of the country, to which
her physician had banished her in
July.
Under the wide-spreading branches
of massive chestnut tree, were sea-
ed the two whom she had seen as she
sauntered slowly through the neigh
boring field with her fiance, who had
come to board at farmhouse near,
as in duty bound, when freed from his
desk in the city for few weeks; and
who had yawned more, in the fcrt-
night he spent there, chan III the whole
of his previous existence.
Through an opening in the boughs
above, broad lance of sunlight fell
on the upturned olive face of young
man, who lay in the grass, supremely
at ease, his hands claSped under his
head, his long limbs stretched out,
soft felt hat lying near, filled with a
mass OF yellow, crimson, and brown
flecked leaves, which, evidently, his
companion had gathered, for her own
lap was full of similar beauty, and she
was reading aloud from a book of
poems.
"Isn't she pretty?" May thought. as
she looked at the dainty delicate out
lines of the sweet downbent face, Us
nOwer-fair as any her eyes had vested
on, with the dew of life's early morn
ing on its beauty.
Then Mays light step paused, for it
did seem too bad to interrupt the
clear soft voice that read such tender
words:
'That sacred hour can forget2
Can forget the hallow d grove,
Where by the winding Ayr we met,
To live one day of parting lOve?'
Then pair of frank, childish, star
like eyes lifted suddenly, and Nav,
meeting their glance, advanced with q
smile, her languid af1ianced beside
her.
Forgive us for interrupting you in
this manner" she said; ''but we were
80 tired of each others society, and
we saw you from the stile. May / tell
you who we are? ! am Mary Carol
staying at the Fairfax Farm: and this
is Mr.. Jack Hammond, on whom a
fortnight's rustication has had the
melancholy effect you see," with a
his choicest bow, and barred we'll
set head, on which grew a wealth of
shining silken hair, that perfectly
matched with his heavy blonde nous
tache.
The girl sprang impulsively to her
feet. scattering her gatherings.
Il am so glad YOU came" she said
in clear fresh voice, as full of music
as birds. "Lionel and I were wish
ing we knew somebody here; 1t is so
quiet. Brother" turning to the young
giant with olive face and dusky head,
who had lifted himself from the
grass, "let me introduce you-oh, l
forgotl am Inez Brabos, and Lionel
Is my brother"
Something in the dark laughing
eyes bent on her face. as Lionel Bra
bos bowed lowly before her, made
Mays cheeks bloom for a moment
like twin roses.
But she forgotit very soon, as, sit
ting down beside her new acquaint-
ances, she watched Jack gather and
arrange the autumn leaves for Inez.
An hour was spent under the chest
nut tree; ramble along the highway
and through the cool shady lanes that
led thither in the vicinity, arranged
for the morrow.
And when May and Jack walked
the wide veranda of the farmhouse
that evening, and the tiny moon was
fadlHr, the girl turned enthusiastically
toward her companion
did you ever see so lovely face
as Inez Barbos'?" she exclaimed.
''Were man, I'd fail in love with
her straightway."
What! Whether you were free TO
do so or not, May?"
She looked gravely of TO where a
few stars gemmed the azure of the
tranquil sky.
"One who is unwed is always free,
Jack" she said, softly: remember
that. Man or woman who i hound
only by spoken promise. shoula not
-aa1e snould new loye-a stronger